Balcones True Blue Cask Strength vs Braeval 23 Year Old - Forgotten Gems
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Balcones True Blue Cask Strength
Balcones
★ 5.00
£102
Braeval 23 Year Old - Forgotten Gems
Braeval (AKA Braes of Glenlivet)
£100
| Balcones True Blue Cask Strength | Braeval 23 Year Old - Forgotten Gems | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Balcones | Braeval (AKA Braes of Glenlivet) |
| Region | — | Speyside |
| Country | America | Scotland |
| Type | Corn | Single Malt |
| ABV | 65.7% | 44.6% |
| Age | NAS | 23 yr |
| Price | £101.95 | £99.95 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | — |
Balcones True Blue Cask Strength
Braeval 23 Year Old - Forgotten Gems
Balcones True Blue Cask Strength
Braeval 23 Year Old - Forgotten Gems
Quick verdict
Balcones True Blue Cask Strength is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Braeval 23 Year Old - Forgotten Gems is better value at £100 vs £102.
For beginners: Braeval 23 Year Old - Forgotten Gems is more approachable (80/100 beginner score).
Balcones True Blue Cask Strength
Pros
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −High ABV (65.7%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£101.95 vs £99.95)
Braeval 23 Year Old - Forgotten Gems
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +More affordable (£99.95 vs £101.95)
Cons
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
Who should buy Balcones?
Balcones True Blue Cask Strength is for enthusiasts who appreciate cask-strength intensity. Best enjoyed with a few drops of water to open up the flavours. Not ideal for casual drinking or beginners.
Who should buy Braeval?
Braeval 23 Year Old - Forgotten Gems is an ideal first whisky — sweet, approachable, and widely available. It's a great gift and a safe choice for anyone new to whisky or who prefers lighter, friendlier drams.
Tasting notes
Both taste of
Only Balcones True Blue Cask Strength
Only Braeval 23 Year Old - Forgotten Gems
Where to buy
Balcones True Blue Cask Strength
Where to buy
The Whisky Exchange
Braeval 23 Year Old - Forgotten Gems
Where to buy
The Whisky Exchange